#021926

God, being self-disciplined can be challenging, but I know I'm training with purpose. You're doing a great work inside of me-a work that is shaping me to be more like You. Please help me to identify the aspects of my life that need attention, and empower me to change for the better. Give me the strength to endure the challenge, and help me to remember Your promises. In Jesus' name, Amen.

DAILY BIBLE READING: LEVITICUS 25 MARK 1:23-45 THE SABBATH YEAR during the seventh year the land must have a Sabbath year of complete rest. It is the Lord’s Sabbath. THE YEAR OF JUBILEE Set this year apart as holy, a time to proclaim freedom throughout the land for all who live there. 7Show your fear of God by not taking advantage of each other. I am the Lord your God. REDEMPTION OF PROPERTY REDEMPTION OF THE POOR AND ENSLAVED Show your fear of God by not treating them harshly. JESUS CASTS OUT AN EVIL SPIRIT he taught with real authority—quite unlike the teachers of religious law. a man in the synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out. Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” The news about Jesus spread quickly throughout the entire region of Galilee. JESUS HEALS MANY PEOPLE Simon’s mother-in-law was sick in bed with a high fever. he went to her bedside, took her by the hand, and helped her sit up. Then the fever left her, and she prepared a meal for them. Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak. JESUS PREACHES IN GALILEE 35Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray. 37When they found him, they said, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.” 39So he traveled throughout the region of Galilee, preaching in the synagogues and casting out demons. JESUS HEALS A MAN WITH LEPROSY A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he said. 41Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” 42Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed. go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.”

LEVITICUS 25:35-43 INSIGHT As the nation of Israel began to take shape, God wanted them to understand how they were to treat each other. Enslaving fellow Israelites was never to be part of the equation. “If any of your fellow Israelites become poor and are unable to support themselves among you,” He said, “help them as you would a foreigner and stranger” (Leviticus 25:35). And if any of them “become poor and sell themselves to you, do not make them work as slaves” (v. 39). Even this arrangement of indentured servitude wasn’t permanent. God said, “They are to work for you until the Year of Jubilee [every fiftieth year]. Then they and their children are to be released, and they will go back to their own clans and to the property of their ancestors” (vv. 40-41). It’s God’s desire that we never exploit one another but look out for each other’s interests. Because He lavished His love on us by sending Jesus, He’ll help us lavish His love on others.

By: Tim Gustafson

LAVISH LOVE Todd invited his younger brother Alex, a recent college graduate, to come live with him in the house he’d built. He wanted to help his sibling gain some financial footing by allowing him to live rent-free for a while. After six months, Todd asked Alex to begin paying rent. Years later, Alex made an offer on his own home. When the offer was accepted, Todd surprised him by telling him that he’d deposited Alex’s rent payments in a savings account over the years and that the substantial sum of money was now his! Alex wept as he received the lavish gift.

In Leviticus 25, God gave Moses commands for the Israelites that included allowing those in need “to live with you” (v. 35 nlt). This command was part of God enacting “a jubilee year” (v. 10 nlt)—when debts were forgiven, those in poverty were helped, and the enslaved were freed (vv. 23-55). He declared that He’d lovingly led His people “out of Egypt to give [them] the land of Canaan and to be [their] God” (v. 38). He’d provided a new homeland, and now they were to imitate Him by showing love and opening their homes to others.

The apostle John would later write, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” (1 John 3:1). By Jesus’ sacrifice we can receive the fullness of that lavish love (v. 16). And as He helps us, we can lavish it on others.

By: Tom Felten

REFLECT AND PRAY How have you experienced God’s lavish love? How can you extend it to others?

Loving God, please help me pour out Your amazing, lavish love on others. In Jesus' name, Amen.

GRATEFUL Did you know that there are recent neuroscience studies about gratitude confirming what the Bible has said from the beginning? Gratitude changes everything. In one study, they were able to show how the effects of anxiety are greatly reduced and even eliminated when gratitude was introduced to the brain.

Studies have shown that people who regularly practice gratitude experience better sleep quality, reduced stress, and are overall more resilient. Do you regularly practice gratitude? Here are some ways you can begin today!

You can start a gratitude journal + write out 10 things you’re grateful for each day. When you hear yourself start to complain, choose to pray and thank God for all He’s done for you instead. In moments where you don't know what to say, turn on some worship music to help you find the words to praise. Don’t be passive about this, gratitude is a powerful tool God’s given us to combat many of the negative emotions we face. You can choose to lead your emotions by practicing gratitude.

1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

PSALMS 107:1 1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

COLOSSIANS 3:17 17And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

PSALMS 9:1 1I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

PSALMS 118:1 1Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

PSALMS 147:7 7Sing out your thanks to the Lord; sing praises to our God with a harp.

COLOSSIANS 2:7 7Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

JAMES 1:17 17Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.